Tongs



J. P. RATIGAN Jan. 9, 1,934.

TONGS Filed July 20, 1932 .Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNHTED STATES PATENT orgies U 1 Claim.

This invention relates to tongs and the like. An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tongs adapted to be easily handled and of great strength but light weight, the elements of which are so constructed and disposed that the tongs quickly, automatically and securely grips the pipe or other object to which it is applied, but may readily be removed therefrom.

A further object is to provide a new and improved tongs adapted to automatically hold itself on a vertical pipe or the like.

A further object is to provide a tongs embodying bits forming teeth and a new and improved means for mounting the bits in the tongs.

A further object is to provide means for securely and inexpensively locking the bits in the tongs, which means do not weaken the tongs.

A further object is to provide a tongs with removable jaws in order that jaws of different sizes may be mounted in the tongs to enable the tongs to operate upon a wide range of pipe sizes.

A further object is to provide means for yieldingly urging the jaw into closed position.

A further object is to provide a tongs which is sturdy and inexpensive to manufacture and a tool which has a wide range of utility.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the same is more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, wherein is set forth what is now considered to be a preferred embodiment. It should be understood, however, that this particular embodiment of the invention is chosen principally for the purpose of exemplication, and that variations therefrom in details of construction or arrangement of the parts may accordingly be effected and yet remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as the same is set forth in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates a plan View of the invention partly in section.

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates one of the removable jaws for a larger size pipe, which may be mounted in the handle of the tongs.

Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged sectional view illustrating the section of the removable jaw as taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 1.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, the tongs may include a handle l preferably of cast steel. The handle may be cored out as at 2 for sake of lightness, and may be provided with square openings 3 of different sizes whereby the handle may be con,-

veniently used as a wrench. At one vend thevhandle may be bifurcatedas at 4 to receive the "60 movable jaw 5, also preferably made of cast steel.

The movable jaw 5 is pivotally mounted in. the bifurcated end of the handle by means of a com.-

mon bolt 6.

A transverse bore 7 may be cored intothe handle adjacent the bifurcated end thereof, which cored bore may be machined out to receive spring 8 and plunger 9. Preferably the `transverse bore 7 is closed at one end to form a seat for the spring. v

The movable jaw may be provided with a lug 10 which lug may extend into the transverse bore 7, through the opening 11 formed between the bore and bifurcated section of the handle, and positioned to be acted upon by the spring for yieldingly holding the movable jaw in closed relation with the handle.

rEhe handle may be provided with any suitable form of stop means for preventing the movable jaw from closing beyond a predetermined point. The stop means illustrated in Figure 1 includes a bridging piece 12 for spanning the bifurcated portion of the handle adjacent the opening 11 through which the lug 10 extends and is positioned to be engaged by the lug when the movable jaw has closed to a predetermined position. The bridging piece 12 also acts as a brace member for stiifening the bifurcated section.

As stated, the movable jaw may be preferably made of a steel casting and formed for the most part of an H section as illustrated in Figure 5. The section of the jaw which ts between the bifurcated section of the handle is just thick enough to make a nice working iit and it is from this section that the lug 10 projects. The lug 10 is preferably cast integral with the jaw.

Square bits or teeth 13 are removably mounted in the jaw in such a manner that one corner of each bit projects radially toward the center of the jaw. The mounting of the bits is one of the important features of this invention, and for this purpose square slots 14 are cast transversely of the jaw. As will be noted from Figure 4, the bit slots 14 may be cast nearly all the way across the jaw so as to leave a seat against which the inner end of the bit may seat; or, as illustrated in Figure 4, the bit slots may extend the full width of the jaw and a flange 15 may be provided to form the bit seat. In most cases the cored bit slots are sufficiently accurate so that sob sov

the bits may be assembled without the necessity of machining these slots, however, in some cases the slots will require to be slightly breached to remove irregularities.

In order to lock the bits in the bit slots, a stud 16 may be cast integral with the jaw or welded thereto adjacent each bit slot (note Figure 4).

In actual practice I have found that the studs are cast very nearly to size and therefore may be Very easily machined to size Withan ordinary box toolrand then threaded. By screwing a common square nut 17 upon each stud, the bodyportion of the nut will extend over the bit slot and thereby lock the bit securely in position. One of the important advantages of providing the inf tegral studs 16 is that the jaw section is not weakened as would be the case shoulda holebe drilled into the jaw and threaded' to receivealockingscrew.

The end of the jaw may be provided with a nail pulling slot ,17 to render the tool more fj .handle-is provided with a small jaw, but this jaw maybe easily 'and readily removed by removing thecommon bolt 6y and -thenmounting the relatively` large jaw-18 illustrated-in Figure 3. In

actual practice I find that with one handle unit IV amlableto successfully mount jaws ranging from 11%; i'nchvto-Y 3A inches, thus rendering a single rIhe bit 19 may be mounted in the handle in the same manner as the bits 13 are mounted in the movable jaw.

In operating the tool, the proper size jaw will be selected for the size of work and mounted in the handle by means of the pvot bolt 6. For each size jaw the spring 8 acts through plunger 9 to hold the movable jaw in its closed position by: yieldingly acting against ,the lug 10. For each size jaw the'A bridging piece 12 acts tov gage the closed position of the jaw.

Asfrwillbe noted from Figure 1, the entrance to the tongs is tapered to facilitate the mounting ofthe tongs upon the pipe. Once the tongs are mounted upon the pipe, they will remain clamped thereonhdue to the action of the spring means urging thejaw against the pipe.

Should one of thebits become dulled, it may be easily withdrawn from the slot by rst remov ingithelocking nut 17 and then sliding the bit free of theslot, whereuponthe,b itmaybe replaced-by a new' one orv may be'turned'to present anew corner to the pipe,

From the descriptionand drawingglit vwill be use over a wide range of sizes, and a tool whi'cnf is very simple, sturdy and inexpensive of manu,

facture andalso a tool which has, a wide rangefcf utility.

Having fullydescribed my invention,y it is vto be understood that I do n otwish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but myl invention is of the full scope ofthe appended `claim.

.I claim:

The mounting for a bit ina tong, 'includinga tong having a bit slot, a flange closing onev end,

ofthe bit slot, a stud ycast integralfwith said tongn adjacent said slotY and screwthreaded',. a bit mounted in theA s1ot, vand a knut screw-threaded upon the stud for effectively sealing the bit in the slot.

JAMES jP; RATICTAN'. 

